Empyrean Iris Story Collection

In a universe brimming with diverse species, none are as perplexing, or as terrifying, as humanity. Their resilience defies logic, their methods are barbaric, and their capacity for endurance is a myth come to life. Prepare to witness the impossible as a single human faces a death world, a relentless sun, and insurmountable odds, all for a 'tradition' that should be a death sentence. Can humanity's bizarre rituals save them from certain doom, or will the cosmos finally claim these unyielding creatures?

Empyrean Iris Story Collection

In a universe brimming with diverse species, none are as perplexing, or as terrifying, as humanity. Their resilience defies logic, their methods are barbaric, and their capacity for endurance is a myth come to life. Prepare to witness the impossible as a single human faces a death world, a relentless sun, and insurmountable odds, all for a 'tradition' that should be a death sentence. Can humanity's bizarre rituals save them from certain doom, or will the cosmos finally claim these unyielding creatures?

The scorching winds whipped across the desolate, red-hued dunes of the Class A death planet. Overhead, the twin suns, still clinging to the horizon, painted the sky in a terrifying gradient of orange and crimson, promising a brutal dawn. Krill, his multiple limbs trembling slightly with a combination of fear and the planet's chilling night air, huddled closer to the group of humans. "We are going to die," he repeated internally, the thought a constant, icy refrain.

Captain Vir, a figure of unsettling calm despite the dire circumstances, sighed. "Knew we shouldn't have trusted that little scab," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the spot where their transport, and the conniving Tesraki pilot, had vanished hours ago. The silence that followed was broken only by the distant, mournful howl of the wind.

Krill, his internal calculations whirring, provided the grim truth. "40 Units to the sanctuary. Approximately 25 miles." He braced himself for the human captain's despair, but instead, an unholy grin spread across Captain Vir's face. "That's great news!"

A bark of laughter erupted from the other humans, followed by a cheer. Krill stared, utterly bewildered. "25 miles, Captain! And only seven hours before the sun comes up! We have no chance!"

The humans merely laughed louder, a sound that chilled Krill to his core. "Anyone here ever run a Marathon?" Captain Vir asked, his voice laced with an almost manic energy.